The airport is mostly used for general aviation, but is also served by one commercial airline (Horizon Air) providing commuter service to Seattle-Tacoma International. As of September 28, 2006, Pangborn Memorial began supporting ILS (Instrument Landing System) approaches.

Pangborn Memorial Airport is named for Clyde Pangborn, who in 1931 became the first person to fly non-stop across the Pacific Ocean. Taking off from Misawa, Aomori, Japan with an intended destination of Seattle, he instead landed in Wenatchee.